(Atlanta joins five other U.S. cities in hosting the Dutch consulate. Image credit: US Embassy and Consulate in the Netherlands)

Rutte made the announcement during a July 2 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.

The state of Georgia is seen as a key economic partner by officials in the Netherlands.

“The economic ties between the Netherlands and the United States are strong," said Sigrid Kaag, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Georgia, according to the Dutch embassy, sends the country $1 billion in exports. 29,000 Georgia jobs are also supported by Dutch-U.S. trade and investment.

Atlanta-based companies, like Coca-Cola Enterprises and UPS, have offices in the Netherlands. Dutch companies such as KLM airlines and VanderLande Industries have a significant presence in the Atlanta area too. Earlier this month, Governor Nathan Deal (R - Georgia) welcomed another Holland business to the American South.

VDL Groep, an international industrial and manufacturing company based in the Netherlands, plans to locate in Hall County. The move is expected to create create 110 jobs and invest $17 million north of Atlanta.

"With this manufacturing facility, VDL Groep will join a number of Dutch companies that operate more than 100 facilities in our state and employ more than 7,500 Georgians," Deal said. "We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with VDL Groep and seeing the company continue to grow here in Georgia.”

"Atlanta is a natural home for a new Dutch representation to further strengthen our partnership with the US," said Dutch Minister Kaag. "Atlanta is in many ways a gateway to the United States, while the Netherlands is a gateway to Europe. And much like Atlanta, the Netherlands is a hub for smart logistics, financial technology, and cybersecurity.”

No official date was given for the opening of the new Netherlands consulate in Atlanta.

The Netherlands also has consulates general in Chicago, New York, Miami, and San Francisco, as well as an embassy in Washington, D.C.

27 June 2018

Tickets for Tomorrowland are sold out. But the three-day electronic music festival still plans on sharing its magic with the world.

UNITE with Tomorrowland broadcasts the Belgian event to all corners of the globe during a special livestream in select cities. 2018 marks the return of UNITE to North America for the first time since 2016. Mexico City again plays host to a unique stage featuring lights and other special effects synced up with the Tomorrowland mainstage in Belgium.

Tomorrowland Mexico City promises a "massive well-curated line-up of local & international artists," according to the festival's webpage.

18 June 2018

Five years ago, a rebooted Music Midtown gradually found its legs again. Rome, Georgia hosted CounterPoint at Kingston Downs for the first time. And Tomorrowworld, the three-day event that took over CounterPoint's former home in Chattahoochee Hills, was the hottest ticket in town for electronic music fans.

(Tickets are on sale now for Imagine Music Festival.
Visit www.imaginefestival.com for details. Image Credit: Imagine Festival)

Those initial struggles did not deter the husband-wife duo. They learned from them instead.

"You never can stop learning," Glenn Goodhand said.

Now, as the Goodhands prepare for Imagine's fifth edition, the festival once seen as a mid-card act to larger shows is the big dog in town.

2018 marks the third straight year that Grammy Award-nominated artists booked their ticket to Imagine. Armin van Buuren, Kaskade and Paul Oakenfold --all past contenders for the recording industry's highest honors-- headline a slate that also features several local and regional acts like Midnite Panda and Reliquary.

"There are amazing events all across the country, but after a while, the lineups blur together, and it is hard to recall who is doing what," Goodhand said. "I think we distinguish ourselves from other events by not being a carbon copy of everything else that is out there, including previous versions of Imagine."

14 June 2018

The Glitch Mob announced their 2018 North American fall tour, and it features a visit to Imagine Music Festival at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September.

Based in Los Angeles, the trio consisting of Boreta (Justin Boreta), edIT (Edward Ma) and Ooah (Joshua Mayer) is noted for their bass-heavy remix of "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes. The 2013 film "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, featured The Glitch Mob remix in its trailer.

Billboard magazine says The Glitch Mob's stage set-up, better known as Blade 2.0, is "like being inside the cockpit of a futuristic spaceship, surrounded by glowing pads and buttons." Musical captains Boreta, edIT and Ooah bring their craft to an already packed Imagine Music Festival line-up.

Imagine celebrates its fifth year with big names like Armin Van Buuren, Bassnectar, Kaskade and Paul Oakenfold. In addition to these internationally-known DJs, the 3-day event also brings 70 local and regional artists to multiple stages across the infield of a premier NASCAR race track.

“Topping the prior year's lineup has undoubtedly become a bigger challenge each year,” says Imagine founders Glenn and Madeleine Goodhand. "Through many special requests, our fans and the Imagine Family have helped to curate another dream lineup. Our fan support has been an integral part in the festival’s growth and we cannot wait to welcome you all back for our best year yet.”

Tickets are available now starting at $219 for a 3-day pass and $285 for a 3-day pass with camping. Passes can be purchased online at www.imaginefestival.com. Imagine Music Festival is an 18 and over event.

16 May 2018

Georgia State University graduates will get another chance to walk in a few days.

An email sent by the Atlanta college, Wednesday afternoon, announced a "special recognition ceremony" for bachelor’s degree graduates this Sunday.

"This unique event for students who graduated last Thursday provides the opportunity for individual recognition, something that was not possible then because of the threat of lightning," the university email reads.

Spring 2018 commencement ceremonies at Georgia State University were scheduled for May 10. The event was held outdoors at Georgia State Stadium. Potential lightning caused school officials to have an abbreviated program that consisted of graduates turning their tassels, followed by a round of applause led by University President Mark Becker.

The shortened ceremony created a storm of criticism on social media. Degree candidates quickly demanded a do-over. An online petition received over 4,400 signatures from people asking the college to hold another ceremony so that graduates could walk across the stage and be individually recognized.

The re-scheduled graduation program is slated for May 20 at 2 p.m. in the Georgia State Sports Arena.